Systems and methods for implementing a vehicle control and interconnection system

ABSTRACT

A method of developing peripherals for integration with a vehicle control system comprises providing a vehicle control and interconnection system that includes a system core for processing data, an input module and an output module. The system core includes a reconfigurable space having reconfigurable hardware, memory and a supervising processor that is customized to the order. The supervising processor is configured to provide control information to identified peripherals and control the allocation and configuration of the reconfigurable space into a plurality of independent information processing workspaces. The associated information processing workspace for the peripherals is configured if required, a verifying operation of the peripherals with the control and interconnection system is performed and the peripherals are authorized as approved peripherals. To integrate the peripherals into the system, design tools assist the developer in configuring an associated information processing workspace, setting up operating conditions or performing other integration tasks.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.______ Attorney Docket GOR 001 PA, entitled “CONTROL AND INTERCONNECTIONSYSTEM”, which is filed currently herewith and hereby incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to computer systems and inparticular to control and interconnection systems that allocatereconfigurable hardware space among multiple, diverse peripherals forperipheral specific hardware processing and systems and methods forintegrating peripherals with such control and interconnection systems.

An increasing number of vehicles are being equipped with one or moreindependent computer and electronic processing systems. Certain of theprocessing systems are provided for vehicle operation or efficiency. Forinstance, many vehicles are now equipped with computer systems forcontrolling engine parameters, brake systems, tire pressure and othervehicle operating characteristics. A diagnostic system may also beprovided that collects and stores information regarding the performanceof the vehicle's engine, transmission, fuel system and other components.The diagnostic system is typically coupled to an external computer todownload or monitor the diagnostic information to aid a mechanic duringservicing of the vehicle.

Still further, other processing systems may be provided for operatorcomfort and/or convenience. For example, vehicles are now available thatinclude navigation and global positioning systems and services whichprovide travel directions and emergency roadside assistance. Vehiclesare also provided with multimedia entertainment systems that includesound systems, e.g., satellite radio, broadcast radio, compact disk andmp3 players and video players. Still further, vehicles may include cabinclimate control, electronic seat and mirror repositioning and otheroperator comfort features.

However, each of the above processing systems is independent,non-integrated and incompatible. That is, such processing systemsprovide their own sensors, input and output devices, power supplyconnections and processing logic. Moreover, such processing systems mayinclude sophisticated and expensive processing components such asapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips or otherproprietary hardware and/or software logic that is incompatible withother processing systems in the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of developingperipherals for integration with a vehicle control system comprisesproviding a vehicle control and interconnection system. The control andinterconnection system includes a system core for processing data, aninput module adapted to couple signals from associated peripherals tothe system core and an output module adapted to direct signals from thesystem core to corresponding peripherals, wherein the system core has areconfigurable space having reconfigurable hardware for supportinghardware programming and memory for supporting reconfigurable softwareprogramming and a supervising processor customized to the order.

The supervising processor is configured to provide control informationto identified peripherals as necessary to implement a customized overallconfiguration during operation of the vehicle. The supervising processorfurther controls the allocation and configuration of the reconfigurablespace into a plurality of independent information processing workspaces,where each information processing workspace supports hardware, softwareor both hardware and software based upon programming instructions toimplement peripheral defined functionalities for interaction withassociated peripherals.

Prior to integration into a working system, each peripheral is testedand approved, e.g., under the control or direction of a central domainsuch as an enterprise or other suitable business structure. Anassociated information processing workspace for each associatedperipheral is configured if required, a verifying operation of eachperipheral is performed with the control and interconnection system andthe peripherals are authorized as approved peripherals if suchperipherals operate suitably.

At least one design tool is provided to peripheral developers to allowthem to develop, test and customize their peripherals for use with thecontrol and interconnection system. The design tool may allow adeveloper to define information that characterizes capabilities of theperipheral such that the supervisory processor of the system core canoversee operation of the peripheral during operation. The design toolmay alternatively or additionally allow a developer to defineinformation such that an associated information processing workspace canbe configured to offload at least some peripheral processing to withinthe reconfigurable space of the system core.

The design tool may comprise, for example, a template that allowscustomization of a user interface. Moreover, additional design tools maybe provided to allow each peripheral provider to describe proprietaryconfigurations where such proprietary configurations are installed intoan associated information processing workspace outside of the visibilityof other peripheral providers.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method ofcustomizing a vehicle control system comprises identifying a pluralityof peripherals that are approved by a central domain for integrationinto a customized vehicle control system. In response to receiving anorder for a customized vehicle control system having identified at leastone approved peripheral, a customization of a vehicle control system isinitiated whereby a vehicle control and interconnection system isinstalled into a vehicle. The control and interconnection systemcomprises a system core for processing data, an input module adapted tocouple signals from associated peripherals to the system core and anoutput module adapted to direct signals from the system core tocorresponding peripherals.

The system core includes a reconfigurable space having reconfigurablehardware for supporting hardware programming and memory for supportingreconfigurable software programming, and a supervising processorcustomized to the order. Under control of the central domain, thereconfigurable space is configured for each approved peripheral thatrequires use of an associated information processing workspace andapproved peripherals are connected to the control and interconnectionsystem.

The supervising processor is further configured to provide controlinformation to identified peripherals during operation of the vehicle asnecessary to implement a customized overall configuration. Thesupervising processor further controls the allocation and configurationof the reconfigurable space into a plurality of independent informationprocessing workspaces, where each information processing workspacesupports hardware, software or both hardware and software based uponprogramming instructions to implement peripheral defined functionalitiesfor interaction with associated peripherals.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method ofintegrating a plurality of peripherals into a reconfigurable control andinterconnection system of a vehicle comprises establishing a compatibleset of options for a customer based upon a set of available preferencesand receiving from the customer, an order for a customized control andinterconnection system for a particular vehicle. The compatible set ofoptions is communicated to a control entity, and under control of thecontrol entity, a control and interconnection system is installed intoan associated vehicle.

The control and interconnection system comprises a system core forprocessing data, an input module adapted to couple signals fromassociated external peripherals to the system core and an output moduleadapted to direct signals from the system core to corresponding externalperipherals, wherein the system core comprises a reconfigurable spacehaving reconfigurable hardware for supporting hardware programming andmemory for supporting reconfigurable software programming and asupervising processor customized to the order. The supervising processoris configured such that during operation of the vehicle, controlinformation is provided to identified peripherals as necessary toimplement a customized overall configuration.

Moreover, the supervising processor is configured to control theallocation and configuration of the reconfigurable space into aplurality of independent information processing workspaces, where eachinformation processing workspace supports hardware, software or bothhardware and software based upon programming instructions to implementperipheral defined functionalities for interaction with associatedperipherals.

The system core is programmed based upon a compatible set of options forthe customer and external peripherals are installed that are associatedwith the compatible set of options. The external peripherals are theninterfaced with the control and interconnection system and the vehicleis returned to the customer equipped with the control andinterconnection system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention can be best understood when read in conjunction with thefollowing drawings, where like structure is indicated with likereference numerals, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a control and interconnection systemaccording to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary system topology diagram of the control andinterconnection system of FIG. 1 showing a first exemplary conceptualorganization of peripherals connected thereto;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary communications topology diagram of the controland interconnection system of FIG. 1 showing a second exemplaryconceptual organization of peripherals connected thereto, based upon avariety of exemplary communications paths;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating several exemplary planes of thecontrol and interconnection system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a processing subsystem of the control andinterconnection system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of some exemplary processes for managing areconfigurable processing environment of the control and interconnectionsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the integration of peripheral withthe control and interconnection system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a general block diagram of data flow in the control andinterconnection system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an automobile interior including the control andinterconnection system according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a process flow for the organization of a business modelcentered on the control and interconnection system according to variousaspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is an exemplary template that may be used with the control andinterconnection system to assist in integrating features of one or moreperipherals into the control and interconnection system, e.g., duringperipheral development.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of the preferred embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in whichis shown by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, specificpreferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changesmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, a control andinterconnection system 10 is presented in an exemplary application foruse with a vehicle. The control and interconnection system 10 includesgenerally, a system core 12, an input module 14, an output module 16 andan optional transceiver 18. The control and interconnection system 10supports one or more peripherals 20 that communicate with the systemcore 12, e.g., via the input module 14, the output module 14 and/or thetransceiver 18.

The system core 12 comprises a reconfigurable processing environmentcapable of allocating hardware and software space among multiple,diverse peripherals 20 for application and/or peripheral specificprocessing. The system core 12 further includes a combination ofhardware and software for performing supervisory functions that overseethe operations of the associated peripherals 20 and for performingvarious system and administrative functions including support for thereconfigurable processing environment as will be set out in greaterdetail herein.

The input module 14 functions as an interface that allows the output(s)of multiple associated peripherals 20 to communicate with the systemcore 12. The output module 16 functions as an interface that allows thesystem core 12 to communicate with the inputs to various peripherals 20,which may be the same as, or different from the peripherals 20 coupledto the input module 14. The system core 12 may also optionallyselectively communicate with a transceiver 18 for wired or wirelesscommunication between peripherals 20, which may comprise in-vehicleperipherals, extravehicular peripherals, external communications systemsand/or external processing environments. Thus, fixed locationperipherals 20 may further be integrated with the system 10. In thisregard, the transceiver 18 may conceptually function as extensions ofboth the input and output modules 14, 16 to ensure that data is suitablymanipulated and routed within the control and interconnection system 10.Any suitable communications protocol can be utilized depending upon theparticular application, a few examples of which include 802.11, 802.16,Bluetooth, short message service (SMS), global positioning system (GPS),wireless local area network (WLAN), code division multiple access(CDMA), AM, FM, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS),cellular phone technology such as Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), etc. In practice, the input module 14 and theoutput module 16 may be integrated, e.g., where an application requiresor can benefit from bi-directional communication over a common pathway.

As used herein, the term “peripheral” should be interpreted broadly toinclude devices or other structures that include any combination ofhardware and software, and that are capable of interacting with thecontrol and interconnection system 10. Thus, peripherals 20 may beimplemented as software and/or hardware that is executed entirely withinthe system core 12, as software and/or hardware that is executed withinthe system core 12 in combination with one or more external devices,e.g., a dedicated, peripheral specific component, a common or sharedcomponent such as a display, common input/output features, etc., or assoftware and/or hardware that is executed in an external device incommunication with the control and interconnection system 10. Theperipherals 20 may provide the system 10 with additional capabilitiesincluding features, functionalities, services, etc. Moreover, theperipherals 20 may perform independent functions or form part of one ormore collective processes. Further, the peripherals 20 may providegeneral or specific capabilities to one or more applications and may beselectively active or inactive depending upon specific events, such asbased upon operator interaction, environmental conditions, theactivities of other related or non-related peripherals 20, or otherreasonable factors.

The peripherals 20 that are coupled to the input module 14 may havevarying output characteristics, thus the input module 14 includes aplurality of inputs 22 and one or more core interface input paths 24 toeffect communication of data from the various peripherals 20 to thesystem core 12. The input module 14 may condition, buffer, scale,encode, transform and/or perform other tasks necessary to convert thesignals appearing at its inputs 22 into appropriate information signalssuitable for processing or other manipulation by the system core 12. Afew exemplary peripherals 20 that may couple to the input module 14include one or more antennas 26, digital media 28, which includesdigital devices, systems, processors or other digital logic that outputsdigital data, one or more sensors 30 that output analog or digital data,docked units 32, which may include third party and system specifichardware that is selectively coupled to the input module 14, e.g., via asuitable cradle, docking station or connection port, vehicle subsystems34 that provide subsystem specific vehicle operationalcontrol/monitoring and switches 36, which may include electronicswitches, tactile switches, relays, and other devices fordifferentiating between two or more states. Other exemplary peripheralsthat may be interfaced with the input module 14 include measurementdevices, potentiometers, optical devices, encoders, thermal devices,stress and strain gauges and other devices for generating analog ordigital signals.

The illustrated input module 14 is capable of converting various digitaland/or analog signals to a format suitable for processing by the systemcore 12. As such, the input module 14 may accommodate, for example,single or dual polarity analog signals over a voltage range suitable forthe particular application, e.g., +/−5 volts up to +/−20 volts, orsingle supply voltages up to 48 volts. Further, the input module 14 mayaccommodate peripherals 20 such as variable reluctance sensors that arecapable of generating voltages in excess of 100 Volts by attenuating thecorresponding signals to a range of levels suitable for processing bythe system core 12. Moreover, the input module 14 may perform analog todigital conversion at appropriate bit resolutions and sampling rates toconvert incoming analog information to digital data.

The peripherals 20 that are coupled to the output module 16 willgenerally tend to have varying data input characteristics, thus theoutput module 16 includes one or more core interface output paths 38 anda plurality of outputs 40, each output 40 coupled to one or moreexternal peripherals 20 to effect communication of data from the systemcore 12 to the peripherals 20. The output module 16 includes appropriateoutput driver(s) and power stages as the application requires. Forexample, the output module 16 may condition, buffer, scale, encode,transform and/or perform other tasks necessary to convert output signalsfrom the system core 12 to suitable signals for processing by thecorresponding external peripherals 20.

Exemplary peripherals 20 that may couple to the output module 16 includeone or more displays 42 that may be either dedicated to a specificperipheral 20 or shared among multiple peripherals and functions of thesystem core 12, speakers 44, docked units 32, vehicle subsystems 34,actuators, solenoids, heaters and motors 46, e.g., for power door locks,windows, wiper washers, mirrors, power/heated seats etc., transmitters48 and other suitable devices. The output module 16 may provide dataoutput from the system core 12 in analog and/or digital form and mayprovide isolated outputs, e.g., using switched relays, optical isolationor other isolating techniques. Moreover, the control and interconnectionsystem 10 may generate outputs that are used as network messages,control signals including pulse width modulated outputs, pulse generatoroutputs, counter outputs, timers, H-bridge or other suitable motorcontrol outputs, etc.

Moreover, control and/or data communication links can be establishedbetween the control and interconnection system 10 various peripherals 20such as and lighting, climate control, powered window, locks and mirrorsand other vehicle convenience features. Still further, control and/ordata communication links can be established between the control andinterconnection system 10 and displays, telematics, audio, video andother entertainment/communication features.

Referring to FIG. 2, a topological diagram 50 illustrates one exemplaryorganization of external peripherals 20 that may be integrated with thecontrol and interconnection system 10. For purposes of discussionherein, the peripherals 20 are organized into relatively broad, generalclasses that conceptually form main or zonal branches of like or relatedexternal peripherals 20. The exemplary classes include a vehicledynamics class 52, a powertrain class 54, a vehicle body class 56, apower supply class 58, an information and/or entertainment class 60,also referred to herein as an infotainment class, and a miscellaneousclass 62. Additional or different conceptual classes may alternativelybe considered depending upon the needs of the particular implementationof the control and interconnection system 10.

The vehicle dynamics class 52 includes for example, peripherals 20 thatmonitor, control or adjust the vehicle suspension, braking, steeringand/or other operational systems. The powertrain class 54 includes forexample, peripherals 20 that monitor, control or adjust the vehicleengine and transmission. The body class 56 includes for example,peripherals 20 that monitor or control the vehicle body interior orexterior or components attached to the body such as body impact sensors,tire pressure sensors, mirror controls, seat and environment controlsetc., or devices, features or equipment that provide comfort to thevehicle operator or passengers. As illustrated, the body class 56 isconceptually organized into four main zone controls 64 that overlapincluding a front zone control (FZC), a rear zone control (RZC), anoperator zone control (OZC) and a passenger zone control (PZC). Otherarrangements and logical organizations may alternatively be implemented.The various peripherals 20 of the body class 56 are illustrated ascommunicating between themselves and with the control andinterconnection system 10 over a bus system 66. Various busconfigurations will be discussed in greater detail below. Further, aperipheral 20 such as a key fob, e.g., for unlocking the vehicle doors,may communicate over a short-range wireless interface 68 with thecontrol and interconnection system 10, e.g. via the transceiver 18. Atire sensor or other device may also communicate wirelessly with thecontrol and interconnection system 10, e.g., over the short-rangewireless interface 68.

The power supply class 58 includes peripherals 20 that filter, regulate,generate, distribute and store vehicle power. One aspect of the controland interconnection system 10 is the ability to distribute power via asuitable wiring harness or other interconnection system to peripherals20 that are connected to the system thus eliminating the need forredundant power supplies as will be discussed in greater detail below.The power supply class 58 may also interact with various peripherals 20related to the powertrain via the control and interconnection system 10.For example, in hybrid electric vehicles, interaction of peripherals 20of the power supply class 58 may interact with peripherals 20 of thepowertrain class 54 to address terrain, energy, torque and other vehicleperformance parameters.

The infotainment class 60 integrates entertainment, and qualityenhancing electronic products, features and services into the controland interconnection system 10, e.g., to provide information to a vehicleoperator or passenger for purposes of entertainment, instruction and/orconvenience. For example, the infotainment class 60 can includeperipherals 20 such as audio and video delivery devices, cellulartechnology devices, global positioning technologies and Internet devicesthat can operate for example, over a wireless connection 70. Themiscellaneous class 62 may comprise other devices, services or features,examples of which may include power take off (PTO) devices, and otherancillary equipment.

According to at least one aspect of the present invention, the controland interconnection system 10 provides supervisory controlfunctionality, e.g., via a supervisory processor. As used herein, theterm “supervisory control” may relate to at least two differentcharacterizations. In a first characterization, the control andinterconnection system 10 includes supervisory functionality thatoversees control functions performed by one or more peripherals 20,e.g., where such control is necessary or otherwise improves integrationof the system.

For example, during operation of a vehicle, the supervisory control,e.g., a supervising processor 106 (described in greater detail withreference to FIG. 5), may provide control information to identifiedperipherals 20 as necessary to implement a customized overallconfiguration. By allowing the control and interconnection system 10 toprovide supervisory control, a corresponding peripheral 20 or group ofperipherals 20 can respond to control commands from the control andinterconnection system 10 in a coordinated manner. In this regard, thecontrol and interconnection system 10 need not replace the processingtypically performed by external controllers. Rather, the control andinterconnection system 10 oversees the controllers, e.g., by programmingthem with high level (supervisory level) command information, such as bymodifying parameters, set points, operating modes or by providing otherperipheral control commands related to vehicle performance.

Moreover, the control and interconnection system 10 may respond tofeedback from the peripherals 20 that are being supervised, or feedbackmay be considered from non-related peripherals 20 including thoseassociated peripherals not directly coupled to the vehicle, such as byremote or fixed peripherals, e.g., to ensure that the variousperipherals 20 of the vehicle are properly operating, executing orperforming as desired for a given set of conditions. The supervisingprocessor 106 may further be configured to oversee operatingcharacteristics of each hierarchical grouping of classes 52, 54, 56, 58,60, 62 based upon one or more determined operating conditions such thatan overall vehicle configuration is customized. The interaction of thesupervising processor 106 and operating conditions will be described ingreater detail below.

Thus, in one characterization of the control and interconnection system10, a supervisory processor provides control information to at least oneperipheral 20 associated with the control and interconnection system 10to coordinate performance characteristics of related and/or unrelatedidentified external peripherals based upon at least one determinedoperating condition. As one example, if the control and interconnectionsystem 10 determines as an operating condition that a vehicle is offroad, e.g., as determined by peripherals 20 such as tire sensors, a GPSsystem or other suitable input device, a peripheral 20 that comprises apowertrain controller and a peripheral 20 that comprises a vehicledynamics controller may both be set by the supervisory processor of thecontrol and interconnection system 10 to the optimal or best controlpoints for the given operating environment. Thus, controllers externalto the control and interconnection system 10, e.g., suspension,steering, braking, transmission, engine performance, and/or otherperformance features of the various peripherals 20 may be set to operateunder optimal or preferred conditions in an integrated manner resultingin a truer intelligent integrated vehicle realization.

Moreover, non-OEM types of peripherals, e.g., third party orpost-manufacture add on peripherals 20 can also be optimized to thegiven operating conditions in a equally suitable manner. For example,when the vehicle is determined to be off road, the control andinterconnection system 10 may also turn on fog lights, animal warningdevices such as deer whistles, etc. The control and interconnectionsystem may also adjust the infotainment class peripherals topre-configured parameters such as a desired radio station, set acitizens band radio (CB) to a particular channel, or broadcast amessage, e.g., to a determined location to alert an external source thatthe vehicle has gone off road, e.g., for tracking, monitoring or otherinformational purposes.

Comparatively, certain peripherals 20 may not require and/or benefitfrom supervisory control, such as autonomous devices that only provideoutputs, e.g., encoders, potentiometers, etc. However, such peripherals20 may be utilized by the control and interconnection system 10 to makedecisions affecting the supervisory control decisions over other relatedor non-related controllable peripherals 20, e.g., by determining thatthe vehicle is actually off road in the above example.

Further, the various peripherals 20 may also communicate amongthemselves with or without intervention from the control andinterconnection system 10. For example, as illustrated, stability andcontrol data may be communicated between the peripherals 20 of thevehicle dynamics class 52 and the powertrain class 54 as indicated bythe arrow 72. Moreover, the network 66 allows various peripherals tocommunicate among themselves, either dependently or independently ofinteraction with the control and interconnection system 10. In thisregard, a supervisory processor of the control and interconnectionsystem 10 may oversee the controllers in the communicating peripherals20 to verify that are each performing their assigned or intended tasks.

A second characterization of supervisory control relates to overseeingand/or controlling the actions of the various processes and functionsperformed by components of the control and interconnection system 10,e.g., by supervising system actions relating to the reconfigurableprocessing environment of the system core 12, or by supervising actionsof the input module 14 or output module 16. This aspect of supervisorycontrol will be discussed in greater detail below.

Moreover, a supervisory processor may function in the capacity eitherthe first or second characterizations, or of both of the above-describedcharacterizations. For example, the control and integration system 10can oversee various peripherals 20 and trigger control events of oneperipheral 20 in response to actions of another peripheral 20. As oneillustrative example, the control and interconnection system 10 mayissue commands to an appropriate vehicle component controller to adjuststeering and/or suspension parameters based upon inputs from otherperipherals 20, e.g., detected tire pressure level or detectedenvironmental conditions such as rain, etc. Further the control andinterconnection system 10 may issue commands to an appropriate vehiclecomponent controller to adjust steering and/or suspension parametersbased upon vehicle operator preference data and or processing logicprogrammed into the reconfigurable processing environment of the controland interconnection system 10. For example, vehicle handling andpreference data may be stored in a memory device. Alternatively, aparticular vehicle operator may prefer certain vehicle performanceparameters only under certain conditions as determined by vehicleperipherals 20, such as when towing a load or driving for road handlingperformance compared to fuel economy, etc.

In addition to coupling directly to various peripherals 20, e.g., viathe input and output modules 14, 16, the control and interconnectionsystem 10 may communicate over one or more buses. Referring to FIG. 3,the control and interconnection system 10 further allows hierarchicalprioritizing of processing capability so that there is sufficientbandwidth to support peripherals 20 with time sensitive or systemcritical needs by accommodating several independent parallelcommunications subsystems. As illustrated, the control andinterconnection system 10 couples to a first, system critical bus 74, asecond, multimedia bus 76, a vehicle controller area network (CAN) bus78 and a vehicle Local Interconnect Network (LIN) bus 80. The particularimplementation of the control and interconnection system 10 will likelydetermine which bus protocols are required and/or desired for aparticular implementation, thus the above is merely exemplary of the busconfigurations that may be implemented with the system core 12.Additionally, the scalable and reconfigurable nature of the control andinterconnection system 10 allows flexibility in periodically upgrading,updating, adding to and removing from the available buses as thespecific application dictates, as will be seen in greater detail herein.

The system critical bus 74 may be used to communicate time or operationsensitive data to the system core 12. For example, the system criticalbus 74 may be implemented as a time-triggered data-bus protocol (TTP),which may be used to communicate data from diverse peripherals 20 suchas collision avoidance systems, brake systems, suspension systems,charging and storage systems, powertrain systems, vision aid systems,steering systems, airbag systems, electric drive systems and other dataand/or control sensitive systems, devices, and sensors.

The multimedia bus 76 may be used to communicate data betweeninfotainment peripherals 20 and the system core 12. The multimedia bus76 may be implemented using any appropriate communications bus. Forexample, the multimedia bus 76 may support wired devices thatcommunicate over the universal serial bus (USB), Firewire (IEEE1394),MOST optical network or other standard or proprietary format.Additionally, the system core 12 may communicate with one or moreperipheral 20 using wireless technology, examples of which includeBlueTooth, 802.11, CDMA, AM, FM, WIFI, etc.

The CAN bus 78 can be used to form a communications network between andamong peripherals 20 such as control lighting devices, vehicleindications and displays, convenience features and other typical CAN busdevices and sensors. The LIN bus 80 may be used to form a communicationsnetwork with peripherals 20 such as common controls, climate control,powered windows, powered locks, powered mirrors, powered seats, etc. Theperipherals 20 on the LIN bus 80 may communicate among themselves, orwith the system core 12. Moreover, data can pass from the LIN bus 80 tothe control and interconnection system 10 either directly, or via anintervening bus, such as the CAN bus using a suitable bus gateway 82.

The Midplane Controller

Referring to FIG. 4, the control and interconnection system 10 can beorganized into several planes that each defines a common primaryobjective, conceptually defining a midplane controller. As the exemplaryarrangement illustrates, the control and interconnection system 10includes a logic board plane 86, a power board plane 88, one or moreflex circuit bus bar planes 90 and a base wiring plane 92.

The logic board plane 86 includes the system core 12, which comprisesprocessing and support circuitry 93 of the control and interconnectionsystem 10 as explained in greater detail herein. The input and outputmodules 14, 16 may be contained on the logic board plane 86, or theinput and output modules 14, 16 may be distributed across several planes86, 88, 90 and 92. For example, as illustrated, the input module 14includes input conditioning circuitry 94 on the logic board plane 86,bus connections across the flexible bus bar plane 90 and connectors andother coupling arrangements 100 on the base wiring plane 92. Similarly,the output module 16 includes output conditioning circuitry 98 on thelogic board plane 86, bus connections across the flexible bus bar plane90 and connectors and other coupling arrangements 100 on the base wiringplane 92.

The power board plane 88 may include for example, several types ofhousing components such as power distribution centers (PDC), junctionboxes, fuse boxes, etc., that interconnect the major harnesses of thesystem. Additionally, an array of fuses, output drivers such astransistors, relays, and other suitable power limiting and isolatingdevices may be provided. The power board plane 88 provides a commonpower supply that may be used to power the control and interconnectionsystem 10 as well as the various connected peripherals 20. As such, thepower board plane 88 serves as an electrical distribution system.

The power board plane 88 is preferably capable of providing sufficientdrive current to power outputs at their various required voltages so asto accommodate the power requirements of anticipated peripherals 20. Thepower board plane 88 eliminates or reduces power supply redundancyacross the various peripherals 20 connected to the control andinterconnection system 10 as each peripheral 20 is no longer required tosupply its own power supply conditioning, thus saving each peripheralprovider the cost of their specific power supply circuitry.Additionally, the elimination of power supply circuitry allows theperipherals 20 to be provided in smaller footprints with reduced overallweight. Moreover, greater reliability of the various peripherals 20 maybe realized by reducing the number of vehicle-level interconnections,which may be vulnerable to malfunction and/or failure.

The flex circuit bus bar planes 90 are provided to bus signals includinginformation and power signals between the base wiring plane 92, thelogic board plane 86 and the power board plane 88. The base wiring plane92 provides wiring harnesses, connectors, plugs, conversion adapters andother necessary routing, coupling and other interconnection devices. Forexample, reconfigurable devices can be provided so as to implementcomputer generated and reprogrammable wiring schemes. The base wiringplane 92 may thus be utilized to provide an interface for coupling thevarious peripherals 20 to the system core 12. Signals may be coupledthrough the base wiring plane to the logic board plane 86 and/or thepower board plane 88 by the flex circuit bus bar plane 90. As such, theinterconnection between the various peripherals 20 and the control andinterconnection system 10 can be performed at a common source at thebase wiring plane 92. For example, application specific insulationdisplacement connectors (IDC) or other suitable connector devices can beused to couple wiring from peripherals 20 to the system core 12 of thecontrol and interconnection system 10 using computer determinedinterconnections, e.g., via the flex circuit bus bar plane 90 to provideflexible, yet reliable interfacing opportunities for the variousperipherals 20. The base wiring plane 92 may further take advantage ofintegration efficiencies to minimize the wiring required to interfacewith associated peripherals 20. For example, power and data supplied toa particular peripheral 20 may be distributed across two wires or othersuitable arrangement.

The System Core 12

Referring to FIG. 5, the system core 12 comprises a reconfigurableprocessing environment 102 that supports reconfigurable hardware andsoftware. As illustrated, the reconfigurable processing environment 102includes a reconfigurable space 104 that defines a work area that may beutilized by peripherals 20 and the appropriate processing and supportcircuitry 93. That is, the reconfigurable space 104 may be utilized foroffloading at least some peripheral processing requirements to thesystem core 12, where the reconfigurable space 104 includes hardware forsupporting reconfigurable hardware programming and memory for supportingreconfigurable software programming of peripheral or applicationspecific functionalities that are not related to system core processesas will be described in greater detail below.

The processing and support circuitry 93 may include a supervisingprocessor 106, one or more specialty processors 108, one or more generalpurpose processors 110, a data engine 112, one or more developmentlibraries 114 and one or more configuration libraries 115. Theprocessing and support circuitry 93 may further include additionalfeatures, e.g., bus and other interfaces to support data flow andcommunications as seen with reference to FIG. 3, data processing andsystem operation as will be described in greater detail with referenceto FIGS. 6-8.

Depending upon the particular implementation, fewer, additional oralternate arrangements of processing logic and other control circuitry93 may be provided. For example, a particular business model may opt tooffer a standard and premium or economy offering where the feature setsof each are different. For example, an economy version may includeminimal processing power such as a general purpose processor and arelatively smaller sized reconfigurable space 104. Thus, the economyversion may not include certain soft processors or other advancedprocessing capabilities whereas a premium version may include extendedprocessing capabilities including faster speeds of operation, relativelylarger reconfigurable space 104, more sophisticated processing, etc.

The reconfigurable space 104 conceptually contains a plurality of uniqueinformation processing workspaces, collectively referred to by thereference numeral 116, each allocated to an associated peripheral 20.Thus, the information processing workspaces 116 are provided forperipheral-specific or application-specific functionalities that are notrelated to system core processes. By that, it is meant that theinformation processing workspaces 116 are provided for use by theperipherals 20, e.g., to offload hardware and/or software requirementsthat would otherwise be performed within the various peripheral 20and/or for sharing resources among peripherals 20, etc. The system core12 however, does not require the information processing workspaces 116to perform its system core processes. Rather, the operations of thesystem core are performed by the processing logic and other controlcircuitry 93, which, as described in greater detail herein, may alsoinclude reconfigurable devices. For example, of the various informationprocessing workspaces 116, a first unique information processingworkspace 116A is allocated to a first peripheral, a second, differentinformation processing workspace 116B is allocated to a secondperipheral, and yet a third unique information processing workspace 116Cis allocated to a third peripheral. Each peripheral may use itsallocated information processing workspace 116A, 116B, 116C to performdifferent functionalities, e.g., based upon each peripheral's specificrequirements.

Each information processing workspace 116 may comprise a combination ofsoftware and/or hardware. Software executable instructions are stored inmemory for executing various software routines required by theassociated peripheral 20. Additionally, data files, configuration filesand other non-executable data may also be stored in memory. Eachinformation processing workspace 116 may also include reconfigurablehardware for executing one or more hardware and logic functions requiredby the associated peripheral 20. Thus, some or all of the hardwarerequirements of the various peripherals 20, e.g., those peripherals 20that are conventionally provided with hardware logic, can be offloadedto the control and interconnection system 10. For example, hardwarebased data processing, data conversion, arithmetic operations, decisionlogic, input and output conditioning, timers, controllers and othertypes of hardware functions that are traditionally built usingspecialized chips integrated into a given peripheral 20 can be loadedinto the system core 12. Thus, development time, cost and size ofperipherals 20 can be reduced because certain processing capabilitiescan be relocated from the peripheral 20 to the information processingworkspace 116 of the system core 12 associated with that peripheral 20.

In practice, each information processing workspace 116 may be defined byat least one of an allocated portion of the hardware for supportingreconfigurable hardware programming and an allocated portion of thememory for supporting reconfigurable software programming, e.g., toimplement peripheral defined functionalities for interaction withassociated peripherals. Thus, the reconfigurable space 104 in general,and each information processing workspace 116 in particular, may containaspects thereof stored in different physical locations on the systemcore 12. For example, software may be stored on a memory device forexecution by the general purpose processor 110, and hardware may beimplemented in one or more reconfigurable hardware devices such as fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGA), programmable gate arrays (PGA),Programmable Logic Arrays (PLA), Platform ASICs and other logic that canbe reconfigured. One exemplary FPGA chip is manufactured by XILINX ofSan Jose Calif. Moreover, a given peripheral 20 may include logicincluding hardware, memory and/or software contained within theperipheral itself. As such, the total processing performed by a givenperipheral 20, may be derived within the peripheral 20, within thesystem core 12 or partially within the peripheral itself, and partiallywithin the system core 12, in any combination.

The supervising processor 106 is operatively configured to providecontrol information to at least one peripheral associated with thecontrol and interconnection system 10 to coordinate performancecharacteristics of multiple peripherals based upon at least onedetermined operating condition as will be described in greater detailherein.

The supervising processor 106 further manages, maintains, controls andis otherwise responsible for the reconfigurable space 104. Thesupervising processor 106 ensures, e.g., via supervisory processes, thatrequests from a peripheral 20 to allocate new areas of thereconfigurable space 104, e.g., to establish a new informationprocessing workspace 116 or for integration of new structures into anexisting information processing workspace 116 are properly executed foruse by the requesting peripheral 20. That is, the supervising processor106 control the configuration of each allocated information processingworkspace 116 based upon programming instructions that implementperipheral defined functionalities. For example, the supervisingprocessor 106 may receive a request to allocate an informationprocessing workspace 116 from the reconfigurable processing environment102 to implement peripheral specific processing of a given peripheral.Such may occur during an initial installation of the control andinterconnection system 10 via flash or other suitable programming by acentral entity. A request to allocate the information processingworkspace 116 may also occur post installation, e.g., as part of anupgrade or add-on feature, which may also be performed by the centralentity or the new or upgraded peripheral may include programminginstructions to configure or modify the allocated information processingworkspace 116 with at least one of hardware and software configurationinformation if associated peripheral intends to use the reconfigurableprocessing environment 102 of the system core 12.

If the peripheral is new to the system, the supervising processor 106then allocates an unused portion of the reconfigurable processingenvironment 102 for use by the associated peripheral sufficient toimplement the programming instructions if the programming instructionsare properly authorized, e.g., as verified using a security anddiagnostics feature of the supervising processor 106, which will bediscussed in greater detail below. The supervising processor thenconfigures the allocated information processing workspace 116 based uponthe programming instructions to perform at least one of functionspecific or peripheral specific applications. Moreover, duringoperation, the supervising processor 106 may control interaction withthe allocated information processing workspace 116 to authorizedperipherals or otherwise restrict access of the allocated informationprocessing workspace 116.

The supervising processor 106 further ensures that informationprocessing workspaces 116 are properly de-allocated and recaptured backto the reconfigurable work space 104, and to allow access to executeand/or modify processes within a previously allocated space by anauthorized peripheral 20. As such, the supervising processor 106performs or ensures that an appropriate processor performs the necessaryauthorization, cleanup and maintenance of the reconfigurable work space104. The supervising processor 106 may be set up to only allowreprogramming or reconfiguration during a calibration period or cycle,or alternatively, a given peripheral 20 may have free or limited accessto have their associated information processing workspace 116reprogrammed.

Numerous peripherals 20 will likely utilize the reconfigurable space 104to offload at least a part of their hardware and/or software processingrequirements to the reconfigurable processing environment 102 of thesystem core 12. As such, the supervising processor 106 may implement asecurity processor to ensure that only authorized peripherals can gainaccess to each information processing workspace 116. For example, thesupervisory processor may ensure that encryption or other data securitymeasures are performed for proprietary or confidential informationstored, configured or executed in each information processing workspace116 including software stored in memory and hardware programmed intoreconfigurable hardware devices.

In this regard, the supervising processor 106 may manage the rights ofthe various peripherals 20 to their associated information processingworkspace 116, e.g., via a suitable security processor, to preserverestricted access, allow global or permissive sharing, etc., of some orall of the functionalities of each information processing workspace 116.Thus, some information processing workspaces 116 may be globallyaccessible to all peripherals, accessible to a predetermined class ofperipherals, restricted to select peripherals or restricted forexclusive use by a select peripheral that requested the associatedinformation processing workspace. For example, an exemplary peripheral20 may be provided as software code only. However, that software code,which is executed in its information processing workspace 116 mayutilize common or shared hardware and/or software, either in othershared information processing workspaces 116, or in external peripheralsthemselves, such as by transmitting data to an external display 42, aninput output unit (I/O) coupled to the control and interconnectionsystem 10, etc.

Moreover, the flexible nature of the reconfigurable processingenvironment 102, combined with the capability of turning over logicalimplementation of an information processing workspace 116 to anassociated peripheral 20 allows that peripheral 20 to implementupgradeable and reconfigurable mission specific features andcapabilities within the reconfigurable processing environment 102 of thecontrol and interconnection system 10. For example, a peripheral 20 mayprovide specific features and/or services based customer demographicsegments or other factors as will be described in greater detail below.Such specific features and/or services may be implemented in thatperipheral's information processing workspace 116. However, thereconfigurability of each information processing workspace 116 allowsthe associated peripheral 20 to be upgradeable or cross gradable amongmultiple mission specific features, options, services, etc., withoutchanging the hardware and/or software requirements of the components ofthe peripheral 20 external to the control and interconnection system 10.Rather, the peripheral 20 identifies the mission specific featuresavailable to the user and configures its associated informationprocessing workspace 116 to those features. That is, where a third partyor after market peripheral provider traditionally provides severalmodels or versions of a product, that provider can now provide a singlehardware device and off-load the product differentiating features and/orunique processing of each version to an associated informationprocessing workspace 116 within the system core 12. Thus, OEM andaftermarket products that are not traditionally upgradeable orcross-gradable can now be modified to the extent that the modifiableprocessing is performed within the system core 12 of the control andinterconnection system 10.

In order to provide consistency and to simplify hardware design forvarious peripherals, the system core 12 may also provide one or morespecialty processors 108. For example, one or more specialtyprocessor(s) 108 may be communicably coupled with and responsible forcontrolling the reconfigurable devices of the reconfigurable processingenvironment 102 based upon reprogramming instructions from associatedperipheral 20, e.g., after being authorized by the supervising processor106. As such, the peripherals 20 do not have to deal with theresponsibility and overhead of programming the programmable devices inthe reconfigurable space 104 themselves. Rather, the peripherals 20 needonly provide the corresponding specialty processor 108 with adescription of the logic to be implemented by hardware within theinformation processing workspace 116 allocated to that peripheral 20,and the corresponding specialty processor 108 will see to it that thecode is formatted in a manner suitable to the particular requirements ofthe particular programmable devices.

As another example, one or more specialty processor(s) 108 mayoptionally implement a soft core processor such as a MICROBLAZE, whichmay be embedded in an XLINX chip to handle fast time intensiveprocessing. Thus, a peripheral 20, such as an obstacle detection device,that may require fast processing is suitably served by such soft corefunctionalities. Specialty processors 108 may also be used for dataintensive applications such as audio and/or video processing, e.g., byimplementing a reduced instruction set chip (RISC) device, an advancedRISC machine (ARM) or other processor or logic in a reprogrammabledevice such as an FPGA.

In practice, the functionalities described in greater detail herein foreach of the processors 106, 108 and 110 and the data engine 112 may beimplemented on one or more logic devices such as a microprocessor ormicrocontroller. For example, a single processing logic device mayimplement the functions of two or more processors 106, 108, 110.Likewise, in practice, the functions implemented by the processors 106,108, 110 may be distributed across more than one processing logicdevice. Still further, each of the processors and data engine, 106, 108,110 and 112 may be implemented by a unique processing device.

Moreover, the processors and data engine, 106, 108, 110 and 112 may beimplemented as a conventional processor, e.g., a RISC processor, orrealized in an FPGA within the reconfigurable processing environment102. The use of an FPGA to realize one or more of the processors anddata engine, 106, 108, 110 and 112 allows appropriately sized datapaths, address paths, registers, pipelines and processing functionalityfor the specific applications implemented. As such, certaincomputational efficiencies may be realized using an FPGA compared to atraditional general purpose microprocessor in that an FPGA constructedprocessor may be architecturally tailored for specific processingapplications, resulting in decreased execution time due to the moreefficient structure. Further, the processor 110 may take advantage ofmultiple parallel interface buses as best illustrated in FIG. 3, toprovide computational efficiencies that may not be available intraditional processors.

The data engine 112 interacts with the development library 114 forsupplying partially and/or completely defined building blocks, e.g., toconfigure the information processing workspaces 116 so that associatedperipherals can offload at least a portion of their hardware or softwarerequirements to their corresponding information processing workspace 116by utilizing the pre-configured building blocks. For example, thedevelopment library 114 may predefine hardware and/or software functionsthat may be drawn upon in a “plug and play” manner so that developmenttime for applications to be loaded into the information processingworkspace 116 of an associated peripheral 20 is reduced. For example,the data engine 112 may interact with the development library 114 toimplement input ports, output ports, bus architectures, common orstandard processing functions such as arithmetic logic units (ALU),multipliers, filters, memory such as RAM, etc. Partially and completelydefined building blocks, as well as exemplary configurations may beprovided in the library 114. Further, the development library 114 maycomprise software code, data files, data structures and other memoryrelated information including software code and software libraryfunctions that may be executed on a specialty processor 108 or generalpurpose processor 110.

The data engine 112 also interacts with the configuration library 115 topass configuration data to at least one of the general purpose processor110 and the supervising processor 106. For example, the configurationlibrary 115 may be utilized to provide customer or vehicle operatoroptions, preferences and demographic segments. The data engine 112 maypass the appropriate data from the configuration library 115 to any oneor more of the processors 106, 108, 110, to one or more of theinformation processing workspaces 116, or the data may be communicatedto the peripheral 20 to which that configuration data pertains. Forexample, the configuration library 115 may store user-defined drivingpreferences that may be communicated to the vehicle suspension system,steering subsystem, body subsystem, multimedia systems etc., tocustomize the performance and convenience features of the vehicle in amanner that is unique to a particular vehicle operator. Theconfiguration library 115 may also store codes that selectively enableor disable features of peripherals 20 based upon vehicle owner oroperator purchased, leased or licensed options, and/or parameters thatdefine the capabilities of peripherals 20 available to the control andinterconnection system 10. For example, groups of peripheral featuresmay be bundled into demographic segments, which may be purchased,licensed or leased based upon the vehicle owner or operator's needs ordesires as will be explained in greater detail below.

With reference generally back to FIG. 1, it is possible that sensitiveinformation can be communicated to the system core 12. To preserve theconfidentiality of such data, the input module 14 may be reprogrammable,e.g., via FPGAs or conceptually or otherwise allocated into global inputports and local input ports. The local input ports may be dedicated tospecific peripherals for coupling those peripherals to theircorresponding information processing workspaces 116. Similarly, theoutput module 16 may be programmably, conceptually, or otherwiseallocated into global and local outputs in a manner analogous to that ofthe input module 14.

The open, reconfigurable hardware and software architecture of thereconfigurable processing environment 102 offloads the burden andexpense of hardware development that would otherwise be required tobring a peripheral 20 to market. Moreover, the provision of thedevelopment library 114 of common functions, processing blocks andalgorithms avoids the cost of independently developing common componentsor building blocks that may be useful in processing tasks performed byvarious peripherals 20, thus enabling developers to focus on thedevelopment of particular mission defining characteristics of eachparticular peripheral 20. Moreover, developers are not forced to conformto any specific design standards, protocols or other hardware orsoftware limitations within the minimal restrictions imposed upon eachperipheral 20 by the space limitations of their particular informationprocessing workspace 116 and the code requirements for programming theirparticular information processing workspace 116.

System Core Architecture

The control and interconnection system 10 may be implemented so as tostrike a balance between centralized and distributed processing. Oneaspect of the control and interconnection system 10 that enables suchbalance is the ability of the vehicle supervising processor 106 tooversee other controllers associated with peripherals 20 and tosupervise and control functions of the reconfigurable space 104 of thesystem core 12. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary architecture 120 ofcertain elements of the system core 12, including some of the functionalcomponents that are shown in FIG. 5, which illustrate one exemplaryimplementation of the supervising processor 106 and at least certain ofits corresponding interconnections. The architecture 120 includesgenerally, a real time operating system (RTOS) 122, a communicationsinterface 124, the supervising processor 106, which is also referred toherein as a Vehicle System Supervisor (VSS) 126 to better distinguishits various exemplary functional components discussed below, anapplication program interface (API) 128, an interconnection sub-system130, one or more memory devices 132 such as flash memory, device drivers134, a system gateway 136 and the reconfigurable space 104 discussedabove with reference to FIG. 5.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 generally, the RTOS 122 may be operatedon the general purpose processor 110 illustrated in FIG. 5, or on asuitable processor provided elsewhere on the system core 12. The RTOS122 provides an operating system for executing software, services andother functions provided by the control and interconnection system 10and the various peripherals 20 connected thereto. For example, the RTOSmay be configured to run Windows CE by Microsoft Corporation of RedmondWash., LINUX such as by Red Hat of Raleigh N.C., QNX Neutrino by HarmonInternational Company of Ottawa, Ontario, etc.

The communications interface 124 provides a communication path for thereconfigurable processing environment 102 to communicate with othercomponents of the control and interconnection system 10, including forexample, other logic provided in the system core 12, the input module 14and/or the output module 16 (best seen in FIG. 1). With reference backto FIG. 6, the VSS 126 comprises a mission configuration control process138, a mode control monitor 140, an operator interface orchestrationprocess 142, a system security and diagnostics process 144 and asoftware component process 146 that collectively function together tooversee the operations performed in the reconfigurable space 104.

Under one exemplary arrangement of the VSS 126, the missionconfiguration control process 138 provides configuration data toperipherals 20 associated with the control and interconnection system 10and/or to one or more of the processes of the processing logic and othercontrol circuitry 93 to oversee integrated operation or otherwisecoordinate performance characteristics of various peripherals 20, e.g.,based upon entered preference data. The mission configuration controlprocess 138 may also receive commands issued by the peripherals 20 foraccess to the reconfigurable space 104. Commands issued by a givenperipheral 20 that are suitably passed by the mission configurationcontrol 138 are inspected by the system security and diagnostics process144. The system security and diagnostics process 144 insures that thespecific configuration requested by or required by the peripheral 20 isauthorized and configured to execute properly within the core 12. Thecontrol and interconnection system 10 may further integrate with agraphical user interface 42 (best seen in FIGS. 1 and 9) such that anoperator can modify the operator preferences. Further, an operator mayalter the operator preferences based upon data stored on a portablememory device that may be temporarily docked, e.g., on a docked unit 32or other suitable memory reading device, for reading by the system core12.

Moreover, during run-time, the system security and diagnostics processor144 may be utilized to ensure that a given peripheral 20 has suitablepermission or is otherwise suitably authorized to access a requestedinformation processing workspace 116. For example, the security anddiagnostics processor 144 may be utilized to determine whether aconfiguration operates correctly based upon at least one of missionconfiguration settings identified by a mission configuration controller138, configuration commands based upon driver settings and alternateparameters provided by the mode control monitor 140, which is discussedbelow.

The mission configuration control 138 may also be customized and thenfixed for an individual customer, such as a vehicle owner or operator,e.g., according to preferences, performance data and options such asthose that may be stored in the configuration library 115. For example,performance parameters of included peripherals 20 may be determinedthrough driving the vehicle and by performing simulator tests, such asmay be determined when the control and integration system 10 isintegrated into an associated vehicle. Thus, the mission configurationprovides supervision of the customized vehicle systems.

The mode control monitor 140 modifies the command issued by theperipheral 20 to the system security and diagnostics 144 based upondetecting a particular operating mode or triggering event, i.e.,performance characteristics, as will be described in greater detailherein. The mode control monitor 140 is further operatively configuredto dynamically modify the control information based upon at least onedetermined operating condition, e.g., based upon at least one of sensedoperational conditions, inferred operational conditions, sensedenvironmental conditions and inferred environmental conditions. Theoperator interface orchestration process 142 provides a graphic userinterface for an operator, technician or installer to communicate withthe system core 12, e.g., during development, testing and/or programmingof a specific information, including programming a specific informationprocessing workspace 116. The software component 146 securely retrievesand stores software components of the information processing workspaces116 under the supervision of the VSS 126.

The API 128 advances development of functions and features of thirdparties by allowing programmers and peripheral providers the capabilityto interact with existing software using predefined procedures,instructions and other forms of software to quickly and/or reliablybuild code that is compatible with the system core 12. Documented APIsfor application classes, documented host/processor communicationprotocols, proven libraries of code, support packages and drivers may beprovided with, and accessible from the system core 12. Moreover, thesystem core 12 simplifies the design and development of peripheralfeatures by handling and executing some or all aspects of the peripheralhardware and software infrastructure, e.g., using the informationprocessing workspaces 116 described more fully herein.

The interconnection subsystem 130 facilitates communications across bothlocal and remote connections. For example, local (direct) connectionsmay couple the control and interconnection system 10 to sensors,actuators, displays, input/output (I/O) devices. Further, services andother features may be implemented across the CAN bus 78, LIN bus 80 orother communication pathway. Thus, control and/or data communicationlinks can be established between the control and interconnection system10 and vehicle brakes, suspension, steering, airbag, and other vehicleoperative features across a common communications pathway.

Memory 132, e.g., flash memory, may be used to store informationrequired by the system core 12, including data required by the RTOS 122and/or software corresponding to the various information processingworkspaces 116 for various peripherals 20. The flash memory 132 maycommunicate with the RTOS 122 via the interconnection subsystem 130 orother suitable communications data path. Device drivers 134 or othersoftware code may be accessed by the various processors of the controland interconnection system 10 via the interconnection subsystem 130 toobtain instructions on how to interact with the various peripherals 20installed in the system, thus the particular device drivers 134 will beapplication specific.

The system gateway 136 is the operational access port or communicationshub for signals entering and exiting to the vehicle system supervisor126 from the other logic of the system core 12. The system gateway 136may provide necessary communication protocol conversion and messagepriority implementation, perform other operations to properly translatedata as required by the specific implementation and/or serve as a mastermessage controller. The implementation of a master message controllermay be used to enable the different characterizations of supervisiondescribed in greater detail herein. This supervision oversight promotesvehicle intelligence and opens up an almost infinite variety ofinformation transmission and control possibilities. A few examplespresented for illustration, and not by way of limitation include:

a. Off road driving conditions are sensed, thus the Supervisor, e.g.,VCC 126, alerts the appropriate vehicle subsystems 34 for proper vehicledynamic & powertrain control ranges & settings;

b. GPS & terrain map indicates approaching a hill to climb, thus theSupervisor alerts a hybrid powertrain for best torque/energyconsumption;

c. Vehicle body windshield wiper senses rain, thus the Supervisorcommunicates with Brakes and vehicle dynamics controls to compensate forpotential slippery conditions;

d. Roadside transmitter alarms the vehicle of icy conditions, thus theSupervisor informs the vehicle operator and communicates appropriateadjustments to the vehicle dynamic system;

e. A truck payload changes, thus the Supervisor calls for the vehiclesuspension to be lowered and powertrain torque to be changed.

Referring to FIG. 7, a flow chart 150 illustrates one exemplaryinteraction between a peripheral 20 and the control and interconnectionsystem 10. Peripheral 20D provides vehicle operator performance andpreference data 152 for adjusting the operating characteristics of avehicle based upon operator preferences. The performance and preferencedata may be loaded into the Flash memory 132, e.g., in a reserved memoryarea allocated as part of the information processing workspace 116associated with the peripheral 20D. At some point during operation ofthe control and interconnection system 10, a mission configurationcommand 154 is issued to the mission configuration control process 138and the vehicle operator performance and preference data 152 is read outfrom the flash memory 132 via the mission configuration control process138.

In addition, relevant software driver settings, e.g., from the devicedrivers 134, are retrieved at 156 and other related or necessaryconfiguration commands are obtained at 158 e.g., as executed by othersystem configuration commands, such as those controlled by the vehiclesystem supervisor 126 to facilitate interaction between the control andinterconnection system 10 and the peripheral 20D. Still further, themode control monitor 140 may provide additional parameters or parametermodifications, e.g., as a result of sensing the environment at 160,detecting or inferring mode modifications at 162, or via providingalternative parameters at 164. For example, a mode may change via one ormore operator entered parameters at 163 such as off road or sportselections. Thus, the mission configuration process 138 and mode controlmonitor 140 may cooperate to dynamically modify configuration dataduring vehicle operation, e.g., based upon at least one of sensedenvironmental conditions, inferred environmental conditions, sensedoperating conditions, inferred operating conditions and operatorpreference data.

Determined operating conditions used by the supervising processor 106 toprovide control information to the peripherals associated with thecontrol and interconnection system to coordinate performancecharacteristics of multiple peripherals may be based upon operatorpreference data. For example, operator entered parameters 163 may beconsidered at 162 by detecting the operator values. As yet anotherexample, operator entered parameters 163 may affect or otherwiseinfluence configuration commands at 158. Also, new condition(s) may bedetected, such as by receiving an email at an Internet hot spot. Yetanother example is that a mode may change as a result of sensedoperational conditions, inferred operational conditions, sensedenvironmental conditions or inferred environmental conditions. Forexample, conditions may be inferred from data analysis, such as slipperyroad conditions as inferred by data from an automatic braking system(ABS) setting. Thus, according to at least one aspect of the presentinvention, the VSS 126 controls hierarchical communications networkswhose overall vehicle system configuration is customized and responsiveto both operator selections and environmental conditions, which may beboth sensed and inferred.

The system security and diagnostics processor 144 then examines theavailable data to attempt to determine whether the new configurationoperates correctly at 166, e.g., within some predefined bounds, rules orother suitable operating characteristics. If the system security anddiagnostics processor 144 does not approve the configuration, feedbackis supplied to the mission configuration control processor 138 and/orthe mode control monitor 140 to either bring the data into compliance orabort the operation, e.g., if invalid or improper authorization wasgiven, etc. If the system security and diagnostics processor 144authorizes the configuration, then the supervisory processor 106implements various supervisory tasks, e.g., by providing controlinformation to at least one peripheral associated with the control andinterconnection system 10 to coordinate performance characteristics ofpotentially unrelated peripherals based upon at least one determinedoperating condition, e.g., the new configuration in the above example.Moreover, access may be granted to the various processing capabilitiesof the peripherals 20, e.g., to access the system core 12 includingtheir associated information processing workspaces 116. For example,permission may be granted for the peripheral 20D to access theinformation processing workspace 116 associated with peripheral 20D inthe reconfigurable processing environment 102.

Additionally, system core 12 may take various control actions at 168 inthe course of executing the software and/or hardware of the peripheral20D. Moreover, the driver interface orchestration process 142 mayprovide a template control, e.g., via a graphic user interface (GUI) 170and access a display 172 to provide visual, audible or other feedback toan operator, e.g., to modify, i.e., update, upgrade, access, install orremove the software and/or hardware corresponding the peripheral 20D.

Referring to FIG. 8, a block diagram 180 illustrates data flow diagramof an exemplary control and interconnect system 10 to illustrate anapproach to coupling data received at the input and output modules 14,16 to the system core 12, and in particular, to the reconfigurable space104. As illustrated, data from peripherals 20 may be input to the inputmodule 14 in a variety of formats. For example, the input module 14 mayinclude data paths corresponding to low speed digital information 182,high speed digital information 184, low speed analog information 186and/or high speed analog information 188. The input module 14 maycondition the high and low speed digital information 182, 184, e.g., tosynchronize, filter or perform other necessary processing using digitalsignal conditioning 190. The input module 14 also processes high and lowspeed analog data 186, 188. The analog input information is alsoconditioned and converted to a digital representation, e.g., usinganalog to digital conversion by an analog conditioning processor 192.

The input module 14 couples the conditioned (and converted) inputinformation to a peripheral controller 194, which servers as a hub ofthe system core 12 for process interaction and may be implemented, forexample, in the processing and support circuitry 93 of the system core12. For example, using the peripheral controller 194, select inputsignals at the input module 14 are associated with their associatedinformation processing workspace 116 in the reconfigurable space 102 ofthe system core 12. The peripheral controller 194 also communicatesoutput data to the output module 16, which may condition the data fordigital transmission. For example, the output module 16 includes adigital data output conditioning processor 196 for conditioning digitaloutput data. Further, the output module 16 may also include an analogoutput processor 198 that performs digital to analog conversion andsuitable signal conditioning to process the converted analog data. In amanner complimentary to the input module 14, the output module 16includes several data paths corresponding to low speed digital data 200,high speed digital data 202, low speed analog data 204 and high speedanalog data 206.

The peripheral controller 194 further communicates with the variousprocessors of the system core 12. For example, as illustrated, inputdata, control data and output data may be communicated along a firstcommunication path 208 between the peripheral controller 194 and thereconfigurable space 104, e.g., to reprogram or modify an informationprocessing workspace 116, or to access an information processingworkspace 116, e.g., to execute hardware logic or software code. Thespecialty processor 108 may access the reconfigurable space 104, e.g.,via a second communications path 210 to facilitate reprogramming etc. asnoted in greater detail herein. For example, the specialty processor 108may implement ARM-like or VLIW-like capabilities, e.g., for audio orvideo applications or softcore processing, as implemented in an FPGA fortime intense processing.

The peripheral controller 194 may also communicate with the generalpurpose processor 110, which also referred to herein as a real timeprocessor via a data bus 212. The processor 110 may execute functions ofthe system core 12 and may optionally utilize a floating point processor214 for executing relatively lower speed floating point algorithms. Theprocessor 110 further interacts and communicates within thereconfigurable processing environment 102 including the memoryassociated therewith, e.g., over a high speed data bus 216 such as a PCIbus.

The peripheral controller 194 further interacts with the supervisoryprocessor 106 to ensure that information routed between the input module114, the output module 116, the reconfigurable space 104 and the generalpurpose processor 110 is suitably authorized and is delivered along theappropriate communication pathways. For example, the supervisoryprocessor 106 may cooperate with the peripheral controller 194 to ensurethat information from a predetermined peripheral 20 is coupled to itsassociated information processing workspace 116, and that output fromthe reconfigurable space 104 and/or the general purpose processor 110 iscoupled to the corresponding and authorized peripheral 20 via the outputmodule 116.

Thus, the peripheral controller 194 is arranged to direct the flow ofinformation in the control and interconnection system 10 bycommunicating data between the input module 14, the output module 16,and at least one of the reconfigurable space 104 and the general purposeprocessor 110, wherein select input signals at the input module 14 areassociated with their associated information processing workspace 116 inthe reconfigurable space 104 of the system core 12. Further, the generalpurpose processor 110 may be utilized to interact with the memory of thereconfigurable space 104, e.g., via bus 216 in addition to executingfunctions of the system core 12.

Referring to FIG. 9, the control and interconnection system 10 isinstalled in an exemplary vehicle 310 to illustrate its integration withthe vehicle 310 and several exemplary peripherals 20. In practice, thecontrol and interconnection system 10 may be located behind the dash, ina passenger kick area, integrated into an add-on display or otherdevice, in a compartment in a trunk of the vehicle, or other practicalposition, depending upon the vehicle and other system integrationfactors. Input and output peripherals 20 to the control andinterconnection system 10 may be ergonomically engineered into thevehicle design, e.g., by including input/output control peripherals 20on the steering wheel, in dash, in the doors, trunk or other suitablelocation. For example, as illustrated, input/output control peripherals20 are implemented as several switches 36 that are provided on asteering wheel 312 and on a console 314. Moreover, control peripherals,including inputs and outputs can be distributed throughout the vehicle.This arrangement allows efficient sharing of resources in key locationswithin the vehicle 310, e.g., to provide a common or shared display inthe vehicle dash, to provide a common data entry port, etc.

For example, as illustrated, a shared display may be attached orotherwise coupled to the console, e.g., via an after-market adaptation.Alternatively, the shared display 42 may be integrated into the console314. Alternatively, the Several docked units 32, such as a personal dataassistant (PDA) and a cellular telephone are docked in appropriatecradles that are interconnected to the control and interconnectionsystem 10 through the console 314. A drive device 316 provides an inputfor integrating removable media to the control and interconnectionsystem 10, e.g., for updates, new installations etc. Theinteroperability of the various aspects of the present invention allowsharing of resources in an efficient manner such that available space,e.g., which is otherwise consumed with redundant aspects of processes,such as power supplies, processors, memory, etc. is off-loaded to thesystem core 12, thus numerous functionalities can be provided in arelatively small and clean footprint.

The Home Office Travel Interconnection Executive

Various aspects of the present invention allow the control andinterconnection system 10 to be integrated with fixed peripherals 20 incombination with in-vehicle peripherals 20. Thus, peripherals 20 may bein fixed locations, e.g., at a home or office location, and suchperipherals 20 may integrate with the control and interconnection system10 when the vehicle is in suitable proximity to the fixed peripheral 20.In this regard, communication may be implemented, for example, via thetransceiver 18 coupled to the system core 12.

As one example, a home base receiver, such as may be implemented in anaudio receiver or player may communicate music to a hard driveperipheral 20 within the vehicle and that is coupled to the control andinterconnection system 10. Other performance features and services mayalso be incorporated into fixed peripherals 20 and may be ported fromhome or office to on-the-road features.

Further, the control and interconnection system 10 is not limited tovehicle applications. Rather, the control and interconnection system 10may be applied to control and oversee peripherals 20 in otherapplications, such as where it is desirable to provide a control andinterconnection system 10 for the sharing of resources includingprocessing logic, input/output, power, wiring, etc. For example, in ahome application, the supervising processor 106 may be implemented tooversee home functions in a hierarchal approach analogous to that forthe vehicle application described with reference to FIG. 2 except thateach class (52-62 shown in FIG. 2) is represented by a class suitablefor a home application, such as lighting and climate control, homecomputing center functions, kitchen and other household appliancesincluding smart appliances, security features, infotainment peripheralsand other miscellaneous home, office or other peripherals of interest.In this regard, the control and interconnection system 10 operatesanalogously to that described above for vehicle applications where onelikely difference is the types of peripherals 20 that connect to thecontrol and interconnection system 10.

Miscellaneous Considerations

The system core 12 may be constructed so as to be capable of utilizingstandard off the shelf (OTS) filters, data translation blocks and othersoftware and hardware components including standard off-the-shelf FPGAsand FPGA libraries for both hardware (via the reprogrammable devices)and software development. Moreover, peripheral support may bemodularized. For example, simple peripherals 20 may connect directly tothe reconfigurable processing environment 102 via the input and outputmodules 14, 16. Alternatively, peripherals 20 may communicate with thecontrol and interconnection system 10 via a suitable bus architecture,such as the CAN bus 78 or LIN bus 80. As such, inputs and outputs fromthe input and output modules 14, 16 need not be allocated uniquely toeach peripheral 20 of a particular system.

Moreover, an FPGA or other programmable device may be used to implementand handle system control and data manipulation, e.g., the buscontrollers for the CAN and LIN buses 78, 80, and the input and outputmodules 14, 16. Thus, the inputs and outputs of the control andinterconnection system 10 may be reconfigurable themselves. That is, theinput module 14 may comprise reconfigurable hardware such that inputs 22of the input module 14 can be rerouted to different paths within thesystem core 12 and the output module 16 comprises reconfigurablehardware such data paths from the system core 12 can be rerouted todifferent outputs 40. Such a feature may be used to accommodateadditional or future additional peripherals 20 added to the control andinterconnection system 10 and/or to modify permissions or authorizationsof various peripherals to the control and interconnection system 10.

The reconfigurable processing environment 102 allows the control andinterconnection system 10 to perform vehicle specific reprogramming toadd, implement, upgrade, cross grade or otherwise modify functionsdefined by supported peripherals 20 including device services, softwareand applications, including defining the appropriate processing logicand suitable interconnections thereto. For example, the control andinterconnection system 10 may configure the input and output modules 14,16 as well as an information processing workspace 116 to function as acontroller, a complex signal processor or other real-time controller forone or more peripherals 20. Notably, this can be accomplished withoutthe performance penalties (non-optimal execution penalties) oftraditional general purpose PC computer based platforms. Moreover, thecontrol and interconnection system 10 can reconfigure itself each timethe mission of the vehicle changes, e.g., if new peripherals 20 areadded, removed updated or upgraded to account for changes in the desiredfunctionalities and/or permissions of associated peripherals 20.

Various aspects of the present invention allow design houses, OEMs,etc., to develop and sell peripheral products that integrate with thecontrol and interconnection system 10 so as to simplify, reduce and/oreliminate redundant aspects of coexisting (and traditionallynon-integrated) components, devices, products and services, which mayreduce development time and cost to bring a new, updated or upgradedperipheral to market. For example, as noted in greater detail herein,the control and interconnection system 10 may include necessary powersupplies, signal conditioning, display devices, I/O devices, datastorage devices, processing and other features that are accessible andintegratable into the various peripherals thus eliminating the need forassociated peripherals 20 to incorporate their own redundant versions ofsuch features. Thus, the control and interconnection system 10 providesan environment in which aftermarket goods and service providers canintegrate features into an equipped vehicle generally as seamlessly asOEM manufacturers.

Moreover, the control and interconnection system 10 does not impose taskspecific standards and boundaries on third parties and OEM manufacturersthat plug into the system core 12. Instead of imposing standardizedtechnology boundaries, the system core 12 only requires that deviceprocessor and logic implementations are compliant within thearchitectural limitations of the system core 12 and availableinstructions sets. Further, for each OEM or aftermarket provider,development of hardware for implementation in their allocatedinformation processing workspace 116 may be reduced to using graphicaland text based design tools and programming languages for logiccomponent definition, using for example, hardware development language(HDL) to register transfer level (RTL) code. That is, the OEM oraftermarket provider is responsible for determining how their allocatedinformation processing workspace 116 is utilized.

Development Environment

To enable fast market feedback for product development and evolution byOEM, aftermarket providers, etc., a development environment may beprovided, that can accommodate office as well as laboratory capability.The programming tools available for configuring an allocated informationprocessing workspace 116 in the reconfigurable space 104 may beimplemented depending upon the application, to use common, wellunderstood programming and development interfaces such as simple graphicsoftware interfaces, e.g., similar to Matlab or LabView, for thenon-technical programmer. The software may also be modular, e.g., basedupon the Unified Modeling Language™ (UML). Other software visualizing,constructing and documenting languages may alternatively be usedincluding an object oriented programming language such as C++, or adesign wizard. Such approaches avoid the necessity of a developer tolearn a specialized language such as HDL. Further, builder and otherdevelopment software applications can be utilized to convert theuser-created code into the appropriate program instructions to programthe reconfigurable space 104 in a manner that is specifically tailoredto the particular programmable hardware provided in the system core 12.

In the control and interconnection system 10, a single entity maymaintain very tight control of key aspects of the vehicle networkincluding the system core 12, thus maintaining tight security andencoding of the various hardware and software applications storedtherein. This may be accomplished in a manner that provides OEM andaftermarket providers the tools required to define the hardware andsoftware functions to be executed in their allocated informationprocessing workspace 116 on the system core 12. Moreover, OEM andaftermarket manufactures may safely and confidentially install andoperate proprietary code, algorithms and hardware configurations intheir associated information processing workspace 116 outside thevisibility of other installed peripherals 20, including those ofcompetitors.

Exemplary Method of Operating a Business Based Upon the Control andInterconnection System

The ability of effect rapid technology adaptation and new businessdynamics is necessary to keep pace with the rapid advancement ofelectronic enabling technologies and the increasing pace of featuredevelopment anticipated as vendors begin to exploit the capabilities ofthe control and interconnection system 10. As such, an organizationalstructure may be desired where concepts can be created, rapidlydeveloped and deployed while leveraging external resources for efficientand effective use.

According to an aspect of the present invention, and with reference toFIG. 10, a flow chart of a business model 400 illustrates one exemplarymethod for leveraging the control and interconnection system 10 in abusiness environment. Three domains, which are designated herein as A, Band C are considered as illustrated in FIG. 10. ‘A’ defines a centraldomain, which may be a single central control entity and represents anenterprise, ‘B’ defines a strategic partners and third parties domainand ‘C’ defines a customer market domain. As one example, the details ofthe design and implementation of the control and interconnection system10 may be maintained by the central domain A. The customer market domainC may be established to most effectively and efficiently bring thecontrol and interconnection system 10 to market. The customer marketdomain may be initially centered on key customer segments to satisfyidentified un-served wants and needs while further establishing a meansto maintain ongoing connections with these customers for futureupgrades, potential expanded services and loyal patronage recognition.

At 402, the core concepts of the control and interconnection system 10are provided. As described in greater detail herein, the control andinterconnection system 10 facilitates the adoption of features andfunctions in a flexible manner. One approach to bringing the control andinterconnection system 10 to market is to offer standard and premiumversions, light or full versions, etc., where each “version” may havedifferent processing capabilities, resources, speed of operation, memorysize, size of reconfigurable space 104 and other features as explainedin greater detail herein. At 404, an architectural framework for each“version”, e.g., premium, standard etc., of the control andinterconnection system 10 is defined based upon the core concepts at402. For example, as noted herein with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, atiered hierarchy may be utilized to establish a supervisory controllerthat oversees control of peripherals 20 and/or supervises the processingand support circuitry 93 of the system core 12, which promotes thecontrol and operation of a multitude of simultaneous features andfunctions by the control and interconnection system 10 and its relatedperipherals 20. Integration and compatibility of otherwise seeminglydiverse and unrelated peripherals 20, e.g., across and/or within classesof peripherals, may be implemented by customizing a unique control andinterconnection system based upon operating parameters selected by anoperator, where the operating parameters are selected from a set ofavailable preferences by qualifying peripherals prior to integrationinto the control and interconnection system.

One aspect of the business model 400 is the ability to respond quicklyand economically to satisfy market goals, dynamics and customer desires.As such, the business relationships between the central domain A and thestrategic partners and third parties domain B will run the gamut fromstrategic partners that will bring technology and investment to simplethird parties offering technology and development, which may be used asa gateway to broader market opportunities.

At 406, the central domain A develops and maintains versions of thecontrol and interconnections system 10. At 408, typical aftermarkettypes of peripherals 20, e.g., remote start controls, etc. may bemodified to be seamlessly integrated within the control andinterconnection system 10. For example, an exemplary aftermarket productmay offload some or all of its traditionally self contained dataprocessing to the system core 12 to reduce cost and provide theappearance of an OEM product. Additionally the central domain maylicense certain parties and provide the means for them to convert theirdesigns for integration compatibility into the control andinterconnection system 10. At 410, several well-suited utilities may beincluded in the design to magnify the power of the control andinterconnection system 10. For example, control and interconnectionsystem templates may allow associated third parties to customizeoperator interaction with the control and interconnection system, e.g.,by creating stylized designs such as GUIs. Other development tools andenvironments may also be provided as set out in greater detail herein.

Referring briefly to FIG. 11, an exemplary template 500 is illustrated.The template 500 illustrates one exemplary tool that can be provided,e.g., by the central domain A, for use by peripheral providers, e.g.,OEMs or third party/after market providers, to easily and quicklygenerate a customized media center interface. Additional of differenttemplates may be provided for other features and customizable aspects ofthe control and interconnection system. The template 500 includes agraphic user interface 502 implemented as an exemplary media center andsettings display. The display can be easily accessed by peripherals 20to display fuel data, time radio stations, temperature, audio, timeinformation, meters, etc.

As an example, a generic master GUI 504 includes basic features, such asa display of the time, remaining fuel, current radio station, aplurality of control buttons and a status window, which currentlyindicates that the car operation is OK. The data to be displayed isderived from master settings data 506, which may reside in the memory ofthe control and interconnection system. However, a third party cancustomize the display using the provided template 500, e.g., byreplacing the information stored in the master settings data 506 withcustomized setting data 508. Under this arrangement, the generic masterdisplay may be visually transformed to a desired appearance, one exampleof which is illustrated by the customized third party GUI 510. Asillustrated, fonts have been changed, data has been moved or relocatedabout the displayable area, and icons have been added to emphasize acharacteristic or feature of the various buttons and controls based uponthird party GUI customization data from the customized setting data 508.

For example, as shown, five station presets are provided on the GUI.However, the icons for those presets have been customized to distinguishthe stations with commercials, e.g., stations 1 and 4, from stationsthat play only music, e.g., stations 2 and 5. Further, the currentlyselected station, e.g., station 3, is visually distinguished with yetanother customized icon. In this regard, a third party can customize theGUI 510 using the provided template without having to generate completecustomized code by using the basic building blocks provided in thetemplate 500 by modifying the information stored in the master settingsdata 506 with the third party customized setting data 508.

In the illustrative template example, the buttons 512, illustrated tothe left side of the customized GUI 510 allow an operator to accessvarious data including the temperature, control of audio, use of theGPS, clock etc. Such buttons 512 may be separate from the display screenor integrated into a touch screen. The setup button may influence themission configuration control 138 and/or the mode control monitor 140illustrated in FIG. 6. For example, an operator may utilize the setup toaccess mission configurations, e.g., to automatically adjust the mirrorposition, seat position, etc. Moreover, the template 500 may beconfigured to perform different functions depending upon one or morestates of the vehicle as described in greater detail herein. However,when the vehicle is stopped or parked, graphics, pictures, maintenanceinformation and other information may be displayed.

Further, various buttons 512, including the Disp (display) and Stat(statistics) may be used to access emergency road service, trailer towstatus, suspension, start-up, remote options, morning/evening defrost,radio settings, temperature, seat provision, max speed, driving reportssuch as time/day, potholes detected, brake usage/skid detection, etc.,anticipated charge cycles for hybrid vehicles, copies of the car manualor repair records may be displayed. Additionally, a specialdealer/service password access code may be provided for diagnostics andextracting logged data.

Referring back to FIG. 10, at 412, design, development and market toolsmay be provided for system development. For example, evaluations andcustomer customization may be used and extended to support the fullrange of activities from product development, market research, tocustomer preference selection and performance scenarios, simulations andevaluation determinations. For example, the central domain may provideat least one design tool, such as a template that allows customizationof a user interface. Design tools may also be provided to peripheraldevelopers to allow them to develop and customize their peripheral(s)for use with the control and interconnection system 10, e.g., bydefining information that characterizes capabilities of the peripheralsuch that the supervisory processor 106 of the system core 12 canoversee operation of the peripheral during operation and/or by defininginformation such as programming code and data such that an associatedinformation processing workspace 116 can be configured to offload atleast some peripheral processing to within the reconfigurable space 104of the system core 12. Moreover, the design tools may allow eachperipheral provider to describe proprietary configurations where suchproprietary configurations are installed into an associated informationprocessing workspace 116 outside of the visibility of other peripheralproviders.

At 414, approval and compatibility certification of all supportingparties may be conducted for authorizing the peripheral as an approvedperipheral to ensure compatibility with the control and interconnectionsystem 10. One aspect to the business model 400 is the highlyspecialized customer treatment. To illustrate one example of how thismay work, an exemplary franchise specialty store is considered. At 416,the central domain A provides customer advisors for correspondingavailable features of the control and interconnection system 10 to aparticular customer, e.g., based upon a vehicle that a control andinterconnection system 10 is to be installed into, available peripheralsfor that vehicle and customer preferences, such as may be identified asa number of different customer arrays that represent the focus of marketconcentration and product development as noted in the example below:

Targeted Customer Classes

Products, features and services may be bundled and marketed based uponpreviously identified demographics so that vehicle customization andpreferential applications of the various technologies may be launched ina selective manner. The control and interconnection system 10 may becustomized in terms of identified mission, e.g., nature of anticipatedapplications such as off-roading, towing, use as an industrial/workvehicle, vacation/travel vehicle, commuter vehicle, etc. Additionally,the control and interconnection system 10 may be customized based uponoperator preference, e.g., seat, mirror and cabin comfort settings,electronics options preferred by the operator, etc. Still further, acombination of mission and operator customizations may be implemented.For example, an array of anticipated customer classes may be identifiedand various products, features and/or services may be bundled into eachcustomer class based, for example, upon customer need, perceived need ordesire. A few exemplary classes are set out in Table A, herein. TABLE ACustomer Classes Commuter Young Family Safety Oriented Trades CompanyProfessional Older Adult Frequent Traveler New Young Adult ParentVacation College Grad/GI High Performance Miscellaneous Package

As some examples, to the commuter class, features such as a musicupgrade to include satellite radio, mp3, obstacle detection radardetection, GPS and real time traffic may be key aspects of interest.Comparatively, in a young family class, features such as a DVD player,video games, redundancy or division of controls throughout the vehiclecabin, obstacle detection, emergency road service, and remote/keylessstart and/or entry may be key features of interest.

Still further, a trade or company may require 120VAC outlets via anappropriate 12VDC to 120VAC conversion, corresponding electrical systemand power upgrades, dispatch/communication system, location and officedata, email, GPS, PDA and other electronic tools, improved suspensionand storage. For the vacation oriented class, trip destination, towpackage, GPS, compass and navigation controls, on/off road optimizationof vehicle performance, fuel optimization etc. may be the features ofmost interest. The performance class may be most interested inperformance optimization, tuned and/or customizable suspension, handlingand other performance characteristics, customizable displays and drivingstyle adaptability.

All of the above classes may be addressed with the control andinterconnection system 10. Moreover, a-la cart addition and subtractionof products, features and services may be easily provided as theparticular customer prefers. As such, standard, premium and customizedpackages of features may be offered, depending upon the needs of thespecific customer. Still further, utilizing a scalable approach, thereconfigurable processing environment 102 may be subsequently expanded,such as by adding an additional logic board 86 or by replacing,reconfiguring or updating components with the existing logic board plane86, power board plane 88, flex circuit bus bar planes 90 and/or wiringplane 92.

Moreover, the above model allows a host of third party providers tooffer products, features and services that are all independentlydeveloped, but qualified for operation on the system core 12. As such,quality and performance can be controlled while offering the capabilityof a wide variety of consumer features. Thus, OEM manufacturers, vehiclemanufacturers and after-market manufactures can all participate on acommon platform. Moreover, many permutations, combinations and featuresmay be made available in a cost-effective manner, because certainredundant aspects of each product are provided by the control andinterconnection system 10 according to various aspects of the presentinvention as noted in greater detail herein.

The central domain A may provide simulation and evaluation programs andfeature array templates such as the template 500 discussed herein withreference to FIG. 11, to the franchise store. The location of suchfranchise stores may be strategically determined to be in step withlifestyle trends and demographic patterns.

At 416, a plurality of peripherals are identified that are approved bythe central domain A for integration into a customized vehicle controlsystem. For example, franchise personnel may establish a compatible setof options from available preferences, which are communicated back tothe central domain A for electronic reprogramming of hardware andsoftware components consistent with the selected set of options thathave been special ordered for the customer. Alternatively, on-sitecustomization may take place, e.g., by implementing stock modules in astore inventory of the particular franchise.

After the initial sales paperwork, if required, additional customizationmay be performed at 418. For example, the customer may be introduced toa features specialist or individual who is a trained expert inconducting evaluations of customer's interests and capabilities. In thisregard, the franchise individual, specialist or other person assistingthe customer may conduct a series of performance evaluations, e.g., byusing a simulator, and optionally some simple vehicle evaluations.

The specialist may assist a customer in establishing a compatible set ofoptions for a customer based upon a set of available preferences. Forexample, the control and interconnection system 10 may support certainfeatures and peripherals that are not available on for implementation onall vehicles, e.g., tow packages, all or four wheel drive and otherfeatures that may be unique to certain vehicles or classes of vehicle,etc. As such, the trained feature specialist may be able to guide acustomer through a list of peripherals, features and services that matchthe available features, services and peripherals to capabilities ofvehicle.

Such evaluations need not be complex. For instance, with an intelligentprogrammable system like the control and interconnection system 10,pedal position and variable assist power steering efforts can bearranged together to find comfortable rest positions for the driver'sheal & elbows not found in conventional isolated systems thus improvingvisibility and reducing vehicle operator fatigue. Furthermore, thevehicle tests may confirm improved dynamic vehicle handling and mayresult in higher satisfaction ratings owing to the process of thevehicle owner or operator being individually cared for. Many othersystem synergies can be found, such as display graphic size & nightvision capabilities for an older adult. Any number of additional oralternative combinations may be implemented as set out in greater detailherein.

In response to receiving an order for a customized vehicle controlsystem having identified at least one approved peripheral, acustomization of a vehicle control system is initiated. At 420, areleased design package process sends build requirements forward, e.g.,in the form of engineering drawings and specifications or other suitabledata configuration to the associated parties including to the centraldomain A, and optionally, to appropriate entities in the a strategicpartners and third parties domain B. For example, at 422, the designpackage process may be sent to the appropriate strategic partners and/orthird parties B, e.g., a low cost module manufacturer, which may besufficient for circuit design and assembly but may exclude criticalinformation held within the central domain A. In further response forreceiving a request for a customized control and interconnection system10, a selection may be made from at least two different system coreconfigurations, each different system core configuration providingdifferent processing capabilities, such as by selecting between apremium and standard core 12 as described in greater detail herein.

At 424, the central domain uses its non-public data to give a specificimplementation of the control and interconnection system 10 for aspecific customer its unique personality, e.g., by programming theconfiguration unique to the customer's order and/or by flashing theembedded memory with specific configuration, personal data and pertinentsecurity information, e.g., to configure an associated informationprocessing workspace 116 for each peripheral if required by thatperipheral. The central domain or other entity under the control of thecentral entity may also install any necessary internal flexible wiringand performing final tests to ensure that the programming meets customerdesires, such as by verifying operation of the peripherals with thecontrol and interconnection system.

Thus, the central domain may maintain control over the customizedprogramming of the information processing workspaces 116, electronicallyand otherwise wiring and testing of specific interconnections within theimplementation of the control and interconnection system 10 that isunique to the specific customer while allowing developers and approvedperipheral providers sufficient information to develop and deploycompatible and integrated products. The central entity further approvesand integrates third party peripheral providers into the control andinterconnection system by developing appropriate configuration data foreach peripheral 20 so as to achieve a customized and responsive systembased upon at least one of operator selection, operational conditionsand environmental conditions.

At 426, additional hardware such as sensors, displays and wiringharnesses necessary to complete the vehicle installation is added, andthen the system may pass through the central domain or other source forquality checks at 428 before shipping to a customer installationlocation. At 430, vehicle installation and system tests are conducted,e.g., at the ordering location, and at 432, the customer receives thevehicle customized with a control and interconnection system 10. At 434,continued/continual customer contact may be maintained though thecontrol and interconnection system 10, e.g., to monitor customersatisfaction, identify new application possibilities and inform thecustomer of possible upgrades. Contacts may be maintained using anysuitable communications means including real time connection to theinstalled control and interconnection system 10. For example, after acustomization, the central domain occasionally receives information froma specific vehicle customization via the wireless transceiver 18integrated with the system core 12.

Further, an entity, such as the central domain A, the user or anothersource may store backup data of the system configuration, such as thebuild requirements that are generated to describe a specificcustomization, e.g., to reload or rebuild the same or a differentcontrol and interconnection system based upon a particular, previouslydetermined set of user preferences. For example, if the control andinterconnection system 10 is damaged in a vehicle accident, upon repairsto the vehicle, the control and interconnection system may be replacedor repaired, and the user customization can be reprogrammed based upondata stored by either the user of another entity. Further, a user maycarry a digital media storage device that contains preference data thatmay be loaded into the control and interconnection system, e.g., forvehicle operators who drive different vehicles from a fleet of similarvehicles. Further, the media can store medical alert and othernon-vehicle specific information that can be stored in the vehicle bythe control and interconnection system 10.

Still further, the nature of the control and interconnection system 10allows a vehicle to be reprogrammed back to its factory default orotherwise different conditions, e.g., if being sold, traded or otherwisereturned to a dealer, reseller or other entity. Similarly, if a userwishes to change vehicles, certain of the user parameters, e.g., thosecommon to both the old and new vehicles, can be ported over to the newvehicle, with possibly only slight modification required to the newvehicle settings and hardware and software requirements of the newvehicle. By having the central domain A save special programming, it ispossible to retrieve settings for an operator, e.g., if the systembecomes damaged or inoperable, e.g., as a result of a vehicle accident,etc.

Having described the invention in detail and by reference to preferredembodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications andvariations are possible without departing from the scope of theinvention defined in the appended claims.

1. A method of developing peripherals for integration with a vehiclecontrol system comprising: under control of a central domain, providinga vehicle control and interconnection system comprising: a system corefor processing data, an input module adapted to couple signals fromassociated peripherals to said system core and an output module adaptedto direct signals from said system core to corresponding peripherals,wherein said system core comprises: a reconfigurable space havingreconfigurable hardware for supporting hardware programming and memoryfor supporting reconfigurable software programming; and a supervisingprocessor customized to said order, said supervising processorconfigured to: during operation of said vehicle, provide controlinformation to identified peripherals as necessary to implement acustomized overall configuration; and control the allocation andconfiguration of said reconfigurable space into a plurality ofindependent information processing workspaces, where each informationprocessing workspace supports hardware, software or both hardware andsoftware based upon programming instructions to implement peripheraldefined functionalities for interaction with associated peripherals;providing at least one design tool to a peripheral developer to allowsaid peripheral developer to develop and customize a peripheral for usewith said control and interconnection system by at least one of:defining information that characterizes capabilities of said peripheralsuch that said supervisory processor of said system core can overseeoperation of said peripheral during operation; and defining informationsuch that an associated information processing workspace can beconfigured to offload at least some peripheral processing to within saidreconfigurable space of said system core; configuring said associatedinformation processing workspace for said peripheral if required;verifying operation of said peripheral with said control andinterconnection system; and authorizing said peripheral as an approvedperipheral.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said design toolcomprises at least one template that allows customization of a userinterface.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said design toolallows each peripheral provider to describe proprietary configurationswhere such proprietary configurations are installed into an associatedinformation processing workspace outside of the visibility of otherperipheral providers.
 4. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising customizing said control and interconnection system unique toa specific customer under exclusive control of said central domain by:programming said information processing workspaces, electronicallywiring interconnections within said control and interconnection systemand testing at least an initial customization of an installation of saidcontrol and interconnection system into a vehicle is exclusivelycontrolled by said central domain.
 5. The method according to claim 1,further comprising approving and integrating third party peripheralproviders into said control and interconnection system by developingappropriate configuration data for each peripheral so as to achieve acustomized and responsive system based upon at least one of operatorselection, operational conditions and environmental conditions.
 6. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein build requirements that aregenerated to describe a specific customization are preserved under thecontrol of said central domain for backup and archival purposes.
 7. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein said at least one design toolfurther comprises a first tool configured to enable a peripheralprovider to redesign a product such that hardware processingtraditionally performed in an associated peripheral product is offloadedinto a select information processing workspace of said system core suchat least a portion of the total hardware processing of a peripheral isperformed by said system core.
 8. The method according to claim 1,wherein after a customization, said central domain occasionally receivesinformation from a specific vehicle customization via a wirelesstransceiver integrated with said system core.
 9. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising providing customer advisors forcorresponding available features of said control and interconnectionsystem to a customer based upon a vehicle that a control andinterconnection system is to be installed into, available peripheralsfor that vehicle and customer preferences.
 10. A method of customizing avehicle control system comprising: identifying a plurality ofperipherals that are approved by a central domain for integration into acustomized vehicle control system; in response to receiving an order fora customized vehicle control system having identified at least oneapproved peripheral, initiating a customization of a vehicle controlsystem; under control of a central domain, installing in a correspondingvehicle, a vehicle control and interconnection system comprising: asystem core for processing data, an input module adapted to couplesignals from associated peripherals to said system core and an outputmodule adapted to direct signals from said system core to correspondingperipherals, wherein said system core comprises: a reconfigurable spacehaving reconfigurable hardware for supporting hardware programming andmemory for supporting reconfigurable software programming; and asupervising processor customized to said order, said supervisingprocessor configured to: during operation of said vehicle, providecontrol information to identified peripherals as necessary to implementa customized overall configuration; and control the allocation andconfiguration of said reconfigurable space into a plurality ofindependent information processing workspaces, where each informationprocessing workspace supports hardware, software or both hardware andsoftware based upon programming instructions to implement peripheraldefined functionalities for interaction with associated peripherals;under control of said central domain, configuring said reconfigurablespace for each approved peripheral that requires use of an associatedinformation processing workspace; and connecting approved peripherals tosaid control and interconnection system.
 11. The method according toclaim 10, wherein selection of peripherals and customization of saidsupervising processor are based upon at least one of mission specificrequirements and operator preferences to provide a customized controlsystem.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein a graphical userinterface is integrated with said system core such that an operator canmodify said operator preferences.
 13. The method according to claim 10,wherein an operator may alter said operator preferences based upon datastored on a portable memory device that may be temporarily docked forreading by said system core.
 14. The method according to claim 10,wherein in further response for receiving a request for a customizedcontrol and interconnection system, selecting from at least twodifferent system core configurations, each different system coreconfiguration providing different processing capabilities.
 15. A methodof integrating a plurality of peripherals into a reconfigurable controland interconnection system of a vehicle comprising: establishing acompatible set of options for a customer based upon a set of availablepreferences; receiving from said customer, an order for a customizedcontrol and interconnection system for a particular vehicle;communicating said compatible set of options to a control entity; undercontrol of said control entity, installing a control and interconnectionsystem into an associated vehicle, said control and interconnectionsystem comprising: a system core for processing data, an input moduleadapted to couple signals from associated external peripherals to saidsystem core and an output module adapted to direct signals from saidsystem core to corresponding external peripherals, wherein said systemcore comprises: a reconfigurable space having reconfigurable hardwarefor supporting hardware programming and memory for supportingreconfigurable software programming; and a supervising processorcustomized to said order, said supervising processor configured to:during operation of said vehicle, provide control information toidentified peripherals as necessary to implement a customized overallconfiguration; and control the allocation and configuration of saidreconfigurable space into a plurality of independent informationprocessing workspaces, where each information processing workspacesupports hardware, software or both hardware and software based uponprogramming instructions to implement peripheral defined functionalitiesfor interaction with associated peripherals; programming said systemcore based upon compatible set of options for said customer; installingexternal peripherals associated with said compatible set of options;interfacing said external peripherals with said control andinterconnection system; and returning said vehicle equipped with saidcontrol and interconnection system to said customer.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 15, wherein: said set of available preferencescomprises a plurality of classes targeted to customers based upondemographic profiles that organize features and services most likely tointerest an associated demographic; and said compatible set of optionscomprises a select one of said classes.
 17. The method according toclaim 15, wherein said set of available preferences comprises differentconfigurations of said system core including an option of at least oneof different processor operating speed, different processor capabilitiesand different sizes of reconfigurable space.
 18. The method according toclaim 15, wherein said control entity is a single source that controlssaid set of available preferences by qualifying peripherals prior tointegration into said control and interconnection system.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 15, wherein said compatible set of options selectedby said customer are at least partially based upon a performanceevaluation that suggests options based upon customer preference ordemographic profile, and a vehicle inspection.
 20. The method accordingto claim 15, wherein said customer purchases said reconfigurable controland interconnection system through a store outlet that has thecapability of performing updates and modifications based upon availableinventory once a reconfigurable control and interconnection system hasbeen initially programmed by said control entity.